By Dianne Jacob
Addressing Alzheimer’s: San Diego County is stepping up its fight against Alzheimer’s disease.
The Board of Supervisors recently approved a multi-year plan to speed up the search for a cure and boost services for those afflicted and their caregivers. It was developed by The Alzheimer’s Project, a regional initiative we launched last year.
The vote came as two new county studies showed the staggering toll of the disease on families and taxpayers. The annual cost to hospitalize local dementia patients is expected to roughly double by 2030, to upwards of $1.5 billion.
Some 60,000 local residents have Alzheimer’s, now the region’s third leading cause of death.
Beer festival: I was glad to hear about the recent EC Craft Beer Invitational. The first annual East County beer festival and charity event was held in downtown El Cajon.
The county relaxed regulations a few years ago to encourage the opening of boutique wineries in our backcountry. Since then, the boutique businesses have blossomed, especially around Ramona.
The county is looking at taking similar steps for microbreweries. I think it would further bolster our economy.
Alpine Library: Work is under way on the new county library on Alpine Boulevard, with completion set for next spring.
It will be the first “zero net energy” building constructed by the county. That means it will be designed to generate as much energy — through rooftop solar panels — as it uses.
That’s good news for the county’s energy bill and great news for taxpayers.
Senior summit: Sign-ups have started for the county’s Vital Aging conference, set for June 17 in San Diego. The theme for the free event is “Boosting your Brainpower.”
Details are at aisevents.org, or call 800-827-4277 to register.
For more news, go to diannejacob.com or follow me on Facebook and Twitter. If I can assist with a county issue, please call my office at 619-531-5522 or email [email protected].
—Dianne Jacob represents District 2, which includes La Mesa, on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.
